National Budget for 7.26.07

Wednesday

Jul 25, 2007 at 12:01 AMJul 25, 2007 at 7:10 PM

National Budget for 7.26.07

Jean Hodges, National Editor

GateHouse News Service National Budget

For 7.26.07 editions

Here are the top national stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/. Please submit stories below no later than 6 pm local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly.

HILLARY SUPPORT. Clinton's camp finally announces it's waving the flag to drum up support in Illinois for the New York senator. Peoria is part of a four-day campaign swing beginning yesterday throughout downstate. Clinton has said she won't concede Illinois to Obama; her reps say they're not kidding themselves and realize Obama is the state's favorite son. Met with the co-chair of her campaign, who also is meeting with labor leaders today. He says the state's earlier primary won't allow for Hillary to spend much campaign time here, but didn't rule out the possibility she could come to Peoria. MCDONALD/Peoria / In Illinois

FISHERS ON THE LOOSE - Residents in Arlington are reporting fisher sightings and close encounters with the weasel-like creature that sometime take to munching on cats. The critters were pretty much absent from the scene a few years ago, but are popping up in Mass in increasing numbers. Animal control officer also notes the coyote problem seems to have quieted down this year. CNC/Arlington, Bombard, 25 inches, 6 p.m.

OBESITY STUDY - Report based on Framingham Heart Study data says that obese people tend to live among other obese people (could be family, friends, coworkers, etc.), in part because obesity is more socially acceptable in those circles. MetroWest Daily News, Lord, 15 inches, 6 p.m.

FIREWORKS CONTAMINATION – (Good to localize) With yet another community (Mendon) facing possible water pollution from perchlorate (Buckminster Pond in Westwood has this problem), a material in fireworks, are other towns looking at town land, ponds, streams, etc. where annual fireworks displays might have polluted? Northborough raised questions about this, too. MetroWest Daily News, Breitrose, 15 inches, 6 p.m.

SIMPSONS - D'oh! For a generation, Homer Simpson has been a father figure non-paraleil, Bart a cool dude, Lisa a voice of reason and much more. Thousands of Simpson collectors, fans and more are on pins and needles in anticipation of the Friday release of the full-length feature film. Our story explores the unique culture and devotion of Simpsons buffs. Patriot Ledger, Dembrosky, 25 inches, 6:30 p.m.
With photo, list/box of "Homerisms"
(SEE REVIEW, BELOW)

PARALYZED MAN DIES - Matthew Nagle was paralyzed at a July 4 party six years ago, and became famous after becoming the first person to have a microchip implanted in his brain, in something called Braingate. Though he was taken off his ventilator in 2006, he died Monday after a week-long coma brought on by a blood infection. Patriot Ledger, Walsh, 18 inches, on wire now

Sports

BROWNS QUESTIONS -- Steve Doerschuk will have “5 big questions” for the Browns in 2007. May be more of a centerpiece graphic than an actual story. CANTON / Ohio Sports / This evening

WADE — Dwyane Wade talks to the media at his annual hoops camp for local kids. Southtown/Ladewski /In Illinois Sports

GRANLUND CARTOON – Pete Rose is holding a newspaper with headlines about sports scandals and saying: “It’s time that integrity returns to sports … like back in my day!!” METROWEST / In / Cartoons

Lifestyles (Thursday is Home & Garden)

POND IN THE YARD -- Creating a pond in your yard might be something you have wanted to do for a long time but were afraid you might not have the time or expertise to care for a water feature. But maintaining an addition like this in your yard is quite easy. There are really just three regular chores you have to do in order to keep your pond at peak health. However, before we get to the care, we have to first create the pond. In / Home & Garden
ART: pic

PURPLE TOOL BELT -- There are a number of decorating challenges that come with an open floor plan and high ceilings. A common thought is if you have open floor plans and combined living areas, they need to be painted the same colors, have the same themes, types of window treatments and art. While this is true, it’s also not true. In / Home & Garden
ART: column mug

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE: Is finally here. So how is it? The futures on this brand of light, sweet crude topped out a few years ago, but the movie's still occasionally uproarious and, perhaps, proves that it must have been a bummer for Matt Groening and company to have to premiere in Vermont. Even the villain's name is Cargill. Springfield/Rogers
In Movies
ART: check out the photo package on the Simpsons in Entertainment, too.

COLIN HAY: The former frontman for the Australian '80s group Men at Work ("Who Can It Be Now?," "Down Under") is now a solo artist, and he's coming to the Hoogland. Springfield/Pike
In Illinois